As well as highlighting the well known beauty spots in villages along the River Wye and the many castles and Roman remains, some hidden gems are revealed like the roodscreen and loft in St Jerome's church at Llangwm and the isolated church at Kilgwrrwg along with legends of fairies in Abertysswg and Bassaleg being the birthplace of the Arthurian Merlin.

New York is a city like no other. Through the centuries, she's been embraced and reviled, worshipped and feared, praised and battered--all the while standing at the crossroads of American politics, business, society, and culture. Pulitzer Prize winner Teresa Carpenter, a lifelong diary enthusiast, scoured the archives of libraries, historical societies, and private estates to assemble here an almost holographic view of this iconic metropolis. Starting on January 1 and continuing day by day through the year, these journal entries are selected from four centuries of writing--revealing vivid and compelling snapshots of life in the Capital of the World.
""Today I arrived by train in New York City . . . and instantly fell in love with it. Silently, inside myself, I yelled: "I should have been born here """--Edward Robb Ellis, May 22, 1947
Includes diary excerpts from Sherwood Anderson - Albert Camus - Noel Coward - Dorothy Day - John Dos Passos - Thomas Edison - Allen Ginsberg - Keith Haring - Henry Hudson - Anne Morrow Lindbergh - H. L. Mencken - John Cameron Mitchell - Julia Rosa Newberry - Eugene O'Neill - Edgar Allan Poe - Theodore Roosevelt - Elizabeth Cady Stanton - Alexis de Tocqueville - Mark Twain - Gertrude Vanderbilt - Andy Warhol - George Washington - Walt Whitman - and many others
"The most convivial and unorthodox history of New York City one is likely to come across."--"The New York Times"
"A must-read for anyone who has fallen in love with the Big Apple."--New York Journal of Books
"An absolute masterpiece."--"The Atlantic"

A richly detailed history of Ashdown Forest -- home of Winnie-the-Pooh. The seeming tranquility of many rural landscapes can hide a combative history. This biography of one such landscape, Ashdown Forest in the Weald of Sussex, exemplifies the evolving conflicts that have taken place over many centuries. Wealth and poverty, power and exclusion, have all characterised this landscape through the ages. When a thirteenth-century boundary was erected to form a hunting park it was imposed upon a landscape which for centuries had provided sustenance for peasant families, for swine herds, for itinerant groups, all of whom had developed grazing and collecting rights and customary ties with the area. Conflict between manorial lords and commoners, "turbulent foresters", was born, and the evolution of this conflict over succeeding centuries is the recurring motif of this book. We move through the exploitation of iron ore and timber during the Tudor period, learn of the real threats of enclosure, of military occupation, to be followed by a landscape aesthetic bringing wealthy incomers, attracted by scenery easily reachable from London by train. All sides felt that the Forest was theirs by right. Victorian law-suits, twentieth-century protective legislation and a growing environmental consciousness have all left their mark. And the struggle for Ashdown continues amid ongoing development pressures. This book demonstrates that multi-layered conflict has been a characteristic feature of what still miraculously remains the largest area of internationally recognised heath in the South-East of England.

In London in 1827 Charles Sealsfield (Karl Postl) published this travel novel employing eye-witness accounts, history, and anecdote to expose the oppressive Austrian regime under Emperor Francis I and his Prime Minister Metternich. His political observations are supplemented and embellished by his many detailed descriptions of the fads and fancies of the age, anecdotes and court gossip surrounding major historical figures, as well as by his dry wit which all combine to produce an eminently readable and informative book. During his lifetime Charles Sealsfield was a mystery, an unknown in so far as his identity was concerned. As a young Austrian emigre, his first publications were colorful descriptions of the fledgling United States on the one hand and of the moribund Austrian Empire on the other. Within a few years he became widely celebrated as the author of popular fiction about the American West, considered by many to be superior to American-born authors such as James Fenimore Cooper and Washington Irving.

This volume and Volume 57 present the Elizabethan wills and inventories collected by the Exeter Orphans' Court between 1560 and c.1602. The court administered the estates of all 'orphans' (the children of wealthy freemen whose fathers were deceased) within the city. They form the most important series of documents relating to the houses, material culture and social history of people living in Exeter during the latter half of the sixteenth century, including the number of rooms in their homes, their furniture, clothes and kitchen equipment, and the pattern of their debts. They are thus an invaluable resource for anyone interested in everyday life and the household in Elizabethan England.

In 1889, Annie Nathan Meyer, still in her early twenties, led the effort to start Barnard College after Columbia College refused to admit women. Named after a former Columbia president, Frederick Barnard, who had advocated for Columbia to become coeducational, Barnard, despite many ups and downs, became one of the leading women's colleges in the United States. A College of Her Own offers a comprehensive and lively narrative of Barnard from its beginnings to the present day. Through the stories of presidents and leading figures as well as students and faculty, Robert McCaughey recounts Barnard's history and how its development was shaped by its complicated relationship to Columbia University and its New York City location. McCaughey considers how the student composition of Barnard and its urban setting distinguished it from other Seven Sisters colleges, tracing debates around class, ethnicity, and admissions policies. Turning to the postwar era, A College of Her Own discusses how Barnard benefited from the boom in higher education after years of a precarious economic situation. Beyond the decisions made at the top, McCaughey examines the experience of Barnard students, including the tumult and aftereffects of 1968 and the impact of the feminist movement. The concluding section looks at present-day Barnard, the shifts in its student body, and its efforts to be a global institution. Informed by McCaughey's five decades as a Barnard faculty member and administrator, A College of Her Own is a compelling history of a remarkable institution.

Passed down from generation to generation, many of Derbyshire's most popular folk tales are gathered together here for the first time. Ranging from stories specific to the region, such as 'The Derby Ram', to others which are local versions of well-known classics, like 'Beauty and the Beast', all of the tales in this collection are rooted in Derbyshire's past. Written to recreate the oral traditions that made these anecdotes popular, this book provides entertainment for all. Richly illustrated with original drawings, accounts of love, loss, heroes and villains are all brought to life through vivid descriptions that have survived for several centuries. These tales have been adapted to make them accessible, enjoyable and, at times, very relevant to contemporary readers. Pete Castle has lived in Derbyshire for over twenty years, and is a professional storyteller with over thirty years of experience. For the last ten years he has been editor of Facts & Fiction, the UK's only storytelling magazine.

Originally published in 1913, this volume provides information on the historical background of place-names in Nottinghamshire. Entries are listed in alphabetical order and vary in length, depending on historical interest or the complexity of their development. Notes are provided on phonology, the principal personal names used in place-names, and words other than personal names used in place-names. Additional material includes an introduction and bibliography. This is a fascinating volume that will be of value to anyone with an interest in British history and the development of toponymy.

Dundee Worthies, a rare collection of tales of colourful Dundonians, was first published in 1934, compiled by George M Martin. Reminiscences of the city, old time games, period advertisements and poems sit alongside tales of the folk that populated the city - including Blind Hughie, Tea Pot Tam, Pie Jock. Delve into Dundee's past with this funny, entertaining classic, a valuable historic account of the Worthies of Dundee.

Whether hailing from the open Pennine hills or the close-knit neighbourhoods of industrial towns, West Yorkshire folk have always been fond of a good tale. This collection of stories from around the county is a tribute to their narrative vitality, and commemorates places and people who have left their mark on their communities. Here you will find legendary rocks, Robin Hood, tragic love affairs, thwarted villainy, witches, fairies, hidden treasure and much more. The intriguing stories, brought to life with illustrations from a local artist, will be enjoyed by readers time and again.

Ronald Blythe's 1969 book Akenfield - a moving portrait of English country life told in the voices of the farmers and villagers themselves - is a modern classic. In 2004, writer and reporter Craig Taylor returned to the village in Suffolk on which Akenfield was based. Over the course of several months, he sought out locals who had appeared in the original book to see how their lives had changed, he met newcomers to discuss their own views, and he interviewed Ronald Blythe himself, now in his eighties. Young farmers, retired orchardmen and Eastern European migrant workers talk about the nature of farming in an age of computerization and encroaching supermarkets; commuters, weekenders and retirees discuss the realities behind the rural idyll; and the local priest, teacher and more describe the daily pleasures and tribulations of village life. Together, they offer a panoramic and revealing portrait of rural English society at a time of great change.

A gripping and deeply revealing history of an infamous slave rebellion that nearly toppled New Orleans and changed the course of American history

In January 1811, five hundred slaves, dressed in military uniforms and armed with guns, cane knives, and axes, rose up from the plantations around New Orleans and set out to conquer the city. Ethnically diverse, politically astute, and highly organized, this self-made army challenged not only the economic system of plantation agriculture but also American expansion. Their march represented the largest act of armed resistance against slavery in the history of the United States.

American Uprising is the riveting and long-neglected story of this elaborate plot, the rebel army's dramatic march on the city, and its shocking conclusion. No North American slave uprising--not Gabriel Prosser's, not Denmark Vesey's, not Nat Turner's--has rivaled the scale of this rebellion either in terms of the number of the slaves involved or the number who were killed. More than one hundred slaves were slaughtered by federal troops and French planters, who then sought to write the event out of history and prevent the spread of the slaves' revolutionary philosophy. With the Haitian revolution a recent memory and the War of 1812 looming on the horizon, the revolt had epic consequences for America.

Through groundbreaking original research, Daniel Rasmussen offers a window into the young, expansionist country, illuminating the early history of New Orleans and providing new insight into the path to the Civil War and the slave revolutionaries who fought and died for justice and the hope of freedom.

Join the nation's favourite puzzle brand as we take a journey through landscape and history. In this brand new puzzle book in the bestselling Ordnance Survery series, take a trip through time - from the earliest recorded footsteps of humans in Britain, to the spot where Caesar first surveyed Britannia, to the beaches where the battle of 1066 took place, and on through some of the most iconic moments in British history (as well as plenty of less well-known historical treasures!). Including 40 new regional maps and hundreds of puzzles, mind-boggling brainteasers, navigational tests, word games, code-crackers, anagrams and mathematical conundrums, there will be plenty to keep you occupied as you go! With maps covering the whole of the UK and puzzles ranging across four levels of difficulty, The Ordnance Survey Journey Through Time is an adventure for all the family.

"The writings of fur trader George Nelson are wonderfully rich, vivid, and personal. Laura Peers and Theresa Schenck have rendered great service in bringing these writings forward, editing and annotating them witgh care and empathy. This is a significant work for all who are interested in Native and fur trade history and seek to imagine what life was really like in those times."

Jennifer S. H. Brown, author of Strangers in Blood: Fur Trade Comapny Families in Indian Country

"There was no other fur trader like George Nelson. He was a pure ethnographer of the world around him and of the content of his own heart. Like Defoe and Melville, he was a tolerant, sympathetic teller of truth, but he had his own clear voice. At long last, thanks to the splendid work of Peers and Schenck, he may finally get the honor that was always due him: a following of grateful readers."

Bruce White, author of We Are at Home: Pictures of the Ojibwe People

This is a comprehensive guide to one of America's unique national parks, The C&O Canal Companion takes readers on a mile-by-mile, lock-by-lock tour of the 184-mile Potomac River waterway and towpath that stretches from Washington, DC, to Cumberland, Maryland, and the Allegheny Mountains. Making extensive use of records at the National Archives and the C&O Canal Park Headquarters, Mike High demonstrates how events and places along the canal relate to the history of the nation, from Civil War battles and river crossings to the frontier forts guarding the route to the West. Using attractive photographs and drawings, he introduces park visitors to the hidden history along the canal and provides practical advice on cycling, paddling, and hiking-all the information needed to fully enjoy the park's varied delights. Thoroughly overhauled and expanded, the second edition of this popular, fact-packed book features updated maps and photographs, as well as the latest information on lodgings and other facilities for hikers, bikers, and campers on weekend excursions or extended outdoor vacations. It also delves deeper into the history of the upland region, relaying new narratives about Native American settlements, the European explorers and traders who were among the first settlers, and the lives of slaves and free blacks who lived along or escaped slavery via the canal. Visitors to the C&O Canal who are interested in exploring natural wonders while tracing the routes of pioneers and engineers - not to mention the path of George Washington, who explored the Potomac route to the West as a young man and later laid out the first canals to make the river navigable - will find this guide indispensable.

Keswick is one of the most popular towns in Cumbria, beloved by local residents and the thousands of holidaymakers who visit the Lake District every year. Many are attracted by the spectacular surrounding scenery and the rich history of the area. Those who visit can appreciate why this part of Britain was such a source of inspiration to poets, authors and artists. The first recorded mention of Keswick was in 1276 when Edward I granted a charter for the local market, which is still held in the town today. During the sixteenth century, copper mining brought wealth to the area. Later it was graphite, and then the railways brought the tourists flocking here. In this book, local authors Beth and Steve Pipe seek out the fascinating hidden aspects of Keswick's rich and intriguing heritage. Stories of local people, places and events weave a fascinating tale that spans the centuries. Discover the history and stories behind the Keswick Brewing Company, the town's Literary and Scientific Society and the incredible Alhambra Cinema, which has been in continuous operation for more than a century. Learn more about Keswick's graphite mining industry - a trade that gave the phrases 'black market' and 'a wad of cash' to the English language - and the town's superb pencil museum. For visitors and residents alike, Secret Keswick will reveal more fascinating stories and the lesser-known gems to be found within this delightful Cumbrian town.

Terry Boyle unveils the eccentric and bizarre in these mini-histories of Ontario's towns and cities: the imposter who ran the Rockwood Asylum in Kingston; Ian Fleming's inspiration for James Bond; the Prince of Wales's undignified crossing of Rice Lake; the tragic life of Joseph Brant; the man who advertised his wife's death before poisoning her; as well as Ontario's first bullfight and the answer to the question, "Why did so many lumberjacks sport beards?"

The colourful characters, Native legends, and incredible tales that make up our province's fascinating past come alive in "Hidden Ontario." From Bancroft, Baldoon, and Brighton to Timmins, Toronto, and Trenton, find out more about the Ontario you thought you knew.

This book, to published in two parts, is dedicated to the memories of all those people who once worked for the Great Western Railway in South Wales, at Pontypool Road loco depot, the Eastern Valley and the Vale of Neath railway, as well as to those people who worked in the industries once served by the railway in those locations. In 2016, the UK coal mining industry is extinct, and the future of the steel industry is in doubt. This book serves as a reminder to future generations as to what a fantastic place the South Wales valleys once were for heavy industry and transport infrastructure, and also as a tribute to the pioneering 19th century railway builders. Local railway enthusiast Phil Williams, is a contract structural engineer in the aerospace industry. His father's uncle, Harry Miles, was a Swindon trained locomotive fitter at Pontypool Road in the 1930s. His family have interesting links to the mining industry. His great grandfather was Thomas Williams, the Colliery Engineer at Tirpentwys Colliery from before 1902 up to 1912; and then at Crumlin Valley Colliery Hafodrynys and the Glyn Pits, from 1915 until he died in 1925 aged 76.His father's great grandfather, Joseph Harper, was one of the 1890 Llanerch Colliery disaster rescue team; he worked at the British Top Pits. His father's uncle, Williams Harper was the foreman of the wagon shop at the Big Arch Talywain.

Guildford's history dates from Saxon times, and the town has been the residence of kings and many famous men and women, particularly since Henry II turned the Norman castle into a luxurious palace in the twelfth century. Also amongst the town's famous and influential faces was George Abbot, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1611 and was one of the translators of the King James Bible and founded Abbot's Hospital in 1619 - an early example of 'sheltered housing', which still fulfils that role to this day. High above the town is the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Consecrated in 1961, it was the first cathedral to be built in the South of England since the Reformation. Below it is the University of Surrey, which received its Royal Charter just a few years later. Guildford's people and visitors throughout history come to life in this well-researched account, which also examines the town's architectural development and heritage, from the castle and medieval guildhall to the modern cathedral and beyond, portraying Guildford's significance on a national and sometimes international scale.